(a BIG "I'm sorry" to all of you. I discovered that computers and spilled iced tea do not mix.)
(OOC: No prob, Ollie. Another thing that I found out in the past is that milk and keyboards should not be all that friendly either ... =)! Welcome back!)
Sarah was the first to respond. "I like!" she said with an ecstatic smile. "It definitely says what we want it to.
Chase nodded in a agreement. "I also like the graphics you chose."
Richard was silent for a moment as he took in all of it. It was well designed, but something wasn't quite right. "It needs more. It says what we believe, but it doesn't say it strong enough. Earth has suffered because of all the ETs who have taken advantage of us. They have raped our planet of its talent and its materials. Starfleet and the Federation are what they are because they were raised on the back of Earthers."
Jaime frowned her disapproval of Richard's comments. But then, it was unlikely that anything he said against James' work would have gotten a different reaction.
Richard's remarks were clearly not what James had hoped to hear. He liked what Sarah and Chase had to say a lot better. He had spent hours working on the brochures. "How would you like things changed, Richard?"
"Well, for one thing, I think you are too diplomatic. If you see a horse, call it a horse."
James didn't quite know what the big guy meant, and it was clear on his face.
"What is with all the nicey-nicey language? This isn't the Federation Council. Where are the spoonheads, the pointies, and the crabheads? Instead, I see Cardassians, Romulans, and Klingons."
James couldn't believe that he had not understood Richard at first. It seemed so clear. The fastest way to spread your word was to create an us and them environment. Using catchy nicknames dehumanized the enemy. A smile sneaked onto James face as he considered the irony of that thought. "Understood, sir."
Jaime's face was carefully neutral until James reacted. She did not seem to care one way or the other which words were used. Clearly, her alliances were with her brother, just as he had always supported her.
Now that he had taken the instruction enthusiastically, her _expression_ shifted to one of agreement.
The gruff cell leader nodded. He was pleased to see that James was going to get things done. He just wished that Jaime could prove to be as vital to the team as her brother. He glanced over and studied her for a moment. The disgust on his face was a bit evident.
"And what are we going to do with you. I think it is time that you start doing more than sitting in on meetings."
